Clinical and Scientific Advisory Board
Prof. Kazunari Akiyoshi, Specially appointed professor, Department of Immunology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Professor Emeritus, Department of Engineering, Kyoto University
Obtained Ph.D. in 1985 from Kyushu University. After working as a postdoctoral researcher at Purdue University and as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Nagasaki University and Kyoto University, he became an associate professor at the Graduate School of Engineering, Nagasaki University in 1993, a professor at the Biomaterials Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University in 2002, and a professor at the Department of Polymer Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University in 2010, and a specially appointed professor at the Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University in 2023. In the meantime, he has been a researcher of PRESTO 21 “Organization and Function” and a research director of JST-ERATO Akiyoshi Bio-nanotransporter project. He has been conducting research on the creation of functional nanoparticles (nanogels, proteo-iposomes, and exosomes) for controlled release and selective transport of biopharmaceuticals, and on the application of DDS and regenerative medicine in collaboration with medical engineering.
Shigehisa Kitano, MD, Ph.D., Department Director of Advanced Medical Development and Department Director of Cancer Immunotherapy Development, The Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR)
Leading the Departments of Advanced Medical Development and Cancer Immunotherapy Development at The Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research since 2019. Attending Physician at National Cancer Center Hospital, Japan, from 2013 to 2019. Visiting Investigator at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from 2009 to 2013. Assistant Professor at Mie University School of Medicine from 2005 to 2009. Obtained M.D. in 1998 and Ph.D. in 2007 from Mie University School of Medicine. Engaged in clinical research of cancer immunotherapy.
Yvette van Kooyk, Ph.D., Head of the department Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Center
Prof. van Kooyk is an expert and key opinion leader regarding the role of glycosylation on innate and adaptive immune responses in cancer, allergy and autoimmunity. She identified the C-type lectin receptor DC-SIGN (CD209) in 2000. Her continuous research has characterized the function and significance of DC-SIGN in macrophages and dendritic cells. She was awarded the SPINOZA prize and van Loghem award for lifetime achievements in field of Glyco-Immunology and is a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences.